How to buy Dianette?

If you are currently taking a hormonal contraceptive and want to use Dianette for acne as well as contraception, then you will need to stop your current pill. Your doctor will prescribe Dianette for you if it is safe to do so after asking about your current conditions, family history and checking your blood pressure amongst other examinations. Once you have been safely prescribed Dianette you can order it online following an online consultation.

Is it safe to order online?

When ordering from a certified online pharmacy, you can be ensured that your medication is safe. If the pharmacy doesn't ask you to complete essential health and medical question, however, this is a telltale sign that the website isn't certified. The website should also display clear signs that it is registered and approved by the relevant authorities. In the UK, this includes being registered by the MHRA and GMC.

All medication will be delivered in tamper proof packaging complete with the full patient leaflet, which confirms that the medication is clinically proven and highly effective.

What is included in the price?

When ordering Dianette online here at HEALTHSITE, this is an all-inclusive price including the prescription, consultation, medication and delivery. There are no hidden costs. The price adjusts depending on the dosage and quantity you have ordered, which can be seen below:

Can you buy without a prescription?

To obtain Dianette you'll need a prescription from your doctor. The same applies for all clinically proven medication. This is to confirm the medication is perfectly safe and highly effective for you to use. The prescription process will involve a short consultation – this is the same in person as well as online – and involves medical and personal question to ensure Dianette is compatible with you. For STI medications, you must have tested positive before taking the treatment.

What is Dianette?

Dianette is a clinically proven combined contraceptive medication, taken to successfully prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. This medication is taken on a daily basis for 21 days (followed by a seven-day break) in the form of a 2mg / 35mg tablet. Dianette provides immediate contraceptive cover when taken on the first day of your period. Dianette contains the active ingredients Ethinylestradiol and Cyproterone Acetate, which have an antiandrogenic effect. This means Dianette has the ability to effectively treat acne and hirsutism.

How Effective Is Dianette?

Dianette is highly effective. It has one of the top rates of contraception effectiveness at over 99%, but this depends on you taking it correctly.

If you are unwell it may affect Dianette's effectiveness. Vomiting and severe diarrhoea can mean you don't absorb the pill and receive the necessary dose of hormones. This leaves you susceptible to pregnancy.

If you vomit you need to take another pill right away. If you continue to be sick for 12 hours or more you will need to continue taking your pills and use barrier contraception such as condoms for seven days. If there are less than seven pills left in the packet go straight to the next strip without your seven-day break. Severe diarrhoea can have the same effect. Follow the steps above if you have severe diarrhoea.

The Advantages of Dianette

Managing Periods

All combined pills come with the advantage of managing periods. If you are irregular then Dianette sets a pattern of bleeds that are easily managed and prepared for. You will have a withdrawal bleed when you reach the end of your 21-day pack, but if you prefer not to have your period you can simply take the next packet without waiting seven days. You can do this for up to three months at a time but you may experience some breakthrough bleeding and bloating.

Because Dianette thins the womb lining your periods are likely to become lighter simply because there is less blood to shed. It can also reduce symptoms of PMS such as hot flushing, mood swings, bloating and pain.

Acne And Hirsutism Treatment

Dianette is not only a highly effective contraceptive, it also has other benefits. The biggest additional benefit is that is treats acne and hirsutism. Some women take Dianette for this reason alone.

Dianette contains an antiandrogen. Androgens are male sex hormones that are converted to oestrogen by the ovaries. Androgens stimulate skin growth, the grease glands and hair follicles. If you are sensitive to androgens you may find your skin produces too much sebum (grease) which can block your pores, causing spots and sometimes painful acne. You may also grow excess hair on your body and face. The cyproterone acetate in Dianette prevents androgen receptors from developing and therefore prevents them affecting your skin. It also affects the ovaries, causing them to produce fewer hormones.

Dianette prevents further outbreaks of sebum and acne rather than healing what is already infected. After a few weeks your skin will become less greasy and after several months your acne will start to improve. Excess hair will take longer to settle.

Endometriosis

Dianette can help to treat endometriosis, a painful condition where womb lining grows in other areas. There is no cure for endometriosis but using a combined contraceptive pill reduces the symptoms.

The Different Types of Combined Pill and Mini Pill

There are many different brand names of combined pill, but they all work in the same way as Dianette. Other brand names are Yasmin, Cilest, and Microgynon.

Mini pills, also known as POP or progesterone only pills, don't contain oestrogen and are suitable for women who are unable to take combined pills due to a migraine with aura or other health issues. Mini pills work in the same way as combined pills and have the same 99% efficacy rate when used correctly.

The morning after pill 'EllaOne' is a type of emergency contraceptive that can be taken after unprotected sex. You won't need EllaOne if you take Dianette correctly, but any women who have had unprotected sex should consider using it to prevent pregnancy.

Because the combined pills and mini pills all have slightly different ingredients you may find that one suits you better than another. There is no deviation from the dose you need, but switching brands can help settle side effects should you develop them.

How Is Dianette Different From Other Contraceptives?

Each box of Dianette contains three strips of 21 beige tablets. Each of these contains two milligrams of the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate and 35 micrograms of the oestrogen ethinylestradiol. Dianette's effectiveness rate is the same as other combined pills at over 99% when used correctly.

Dianette's main difference from other combined contraceptive pills is its strong effect on acne and excess hair growth. Regular contraceptive pills can also manage skin conditions, but Dianette is particularly effective. It's an excellent choice to manage acne and hirsutism with your doctor's guidance.

All hormonal contraception relies on either progestrogen, such as the mini pill, or a combination of oestrogen and progesterone such as the combined pills. There are various methods of receiving the dose of hormones. Alongside pill options there is the 'NuvaRing', a elastic band-sized ring that fits inside your vagina, contraceptive patches that lie flat against your skin, the Intrauterine System which is a small T-shaped device that's implanted in your womb by a doctor, implants under the skin of your arm and injections of contraceptive every few months.

Barrier methods remain popular contraceptive methods and they are the only way to avoid STIs. Using a combined contraceptive pill like Dianette will prevent pregnancy but not an STI. If you are having casual sex, it essential that you use barrier contraception such as male or female condoms to reduce your risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

How does Dianette work?

Dianette contains the hormones cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol that work effectively at preventing pregnancy.

Cyproterone acetate is a progestogen derivative and an antiandrogen

Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic version of oestrogen

Dianette prevents pregnancy in three ways. It prevents the ovaries releasing eggs for fertilisation, it thins the lining of the womb so eggs cannot grow there and it thickens cervical mucus so sperm cannot enter.

For Dianette to work effectively you need to take the small pill at the same time each day. If you do this and follow the instructions on what to do if you are ill or miss a dose you are highly unlikely to fall pregnant.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Acnocin

Cicafem

Clairette

How to take Dianette

Take Dianette at the same time each day. The strip is printed with the days of the week to help you remember.

Take each pill whole. Don't crush it or cut it in any way. The pills are very small and easily swallowed without water, but if you struggle with it, chew some food and slip a pill into your mouth before swallowing. Food and drink do not affect the pill.

If you want to skip a period take the next packet immediately with a seven-day break.

If you run out of pills you will need to begin the process again so always ensure you have a ready supply of pill particularly if you are going on holiday. It can be difficult to source the pill when abroad.

How To Start Dianette

Once you have safely been prescribed Dianette, you need to take it every day with a seven-day break after 21 pills. The pill strips are marked with the days of the week to help you remember.

Take your first Dianette pill on the first day of your period. This means you will be covered against pregnancy immediately. Take the remaining pills once a day at the same time. When you have finished 21 pills you can take a break and have a withdrawal bleed. Start the next packet after seven days have passed even if you are still bleeding.

Changing from another contraceptive pill:

If you are already taking a monophasic 21-day pill you should start a strip of Dianette after your current strip runs out. Do not have a seven-day break but continue straight through with Dianette.

If you take a 28-day pill (dummy pills included on the seven-day break) you should take your first Dianette the day following your last active pill.

If you are transferring from the mini pill, start Dianette on the first day of your period and you are covered against pregnancy straight away.

After a miscarriage or abortion:

If your miscarriage or abortion has taken place in the first three months of pregnancy you may be able to take Dianette straight away on your doctor's advice. If it was later than three months then follow your doctor's instructions as you may need extra contraception.

After Giving Birth:

You can start taking Dianette 21 days after your birth if you are moving around. Your doctor will advise you further. Do not use Dianette if you are breastfeeding as it will halt the milk supply and potentially stop your baby developing normally.

What To Do If You Miss A Dose

Many women forget to take their pills, it's a common occurrence. Pregnancies that happen when women are taking the pill are usually the result of forgotten pills or becoming unwell when taking them. Follow these steps if you forget your Dianette or become unwell.

If you are less than 12 hours late simply take the missed pill when you remember. You don't need to do anything else.

If you are more than 12 hours late, or you have missed more than one pill, you are at risk of pregnancy. Take the most recent missed pill but leave the other missed pills. Use barrier contraception for seven days. If there are less than seven pills left in your strip continue to the next strip without having a seven-day break.

If you have missed pills, or you've left the seven-day break longer than seven days, you could be pregnant. You should consider emergency contraception if you've recently had sex. If you do not have a withdrawal bleed at the end of the packet, take a pregnancy test as you could have fallen pregnant.

If you lose a pill replace it with one from the end of your current strip. Your cycle will be a day shorter but it will not affect your contraception.

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

If you vomit then Dianette may not have had sufficient time to absorb into your bloodstream. If you're better within 12 hours, you can follow the lost pill advice. If your sickness or diarrhoea lasts longer than 12 hours then you should treat it as if you have missed a pill. Continue to take the pill if you are able and use barrier contraception for seven days after you have recovered.

Dianette Side Effects

All prescription medicines come with potential side effects. Some are welcome such as acne treatment and period management but others can affect you negatively.

Common side effects of Dianette include nausea, stomachache, headaches, sore breasts, mood swings or weight gain.

Uncommon side effects of Dianette may include fluid retention, vomiting, stomach upsets, loss of libido, breast enlargement or skin rash

Bleeding and spotting between periods. This should not last long. If you still bleed between periods after a few months of use see your doctor. Try to take you pill at the same time each day to reduce spotting.

Chloasma - brown or yellow patches on the skin may develop

Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

An increase in blood pressure

If you have any serious side effects you should seek medical help immediately. More common side effects often pass within a few months as your body settles down to Dianette, but if they persist or you find them intolerable see your doctor as Dianette may not suit you. There are other combined contraceptives available that may work better for you.

Dianette Precautions

Many women use Dianette safely for contraception but you will need a consultation first to ensure it suits your particular circumstances. Women who have experienced the following are usually advised not to take Dianette.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because the antiandrogens in Dianette may stop the foetus or newborn developing properly.

If you have or have had breast cancer

If you have had a blood clot

If you have heart disease or heart disease indicators

Diabetes that affects blood vessels

Very high blood pressure

A high level of fat in your blood

Protein C deficiency - a problem with blood clotting

Migraines with aura and visual disturbances

Liver disease or tumours

Allergies to Dianette's ingredients

Dianette is not suitable if you're going to have an operation. If you already take Dianette you may need to stop because it increases the risk of a blood clot.

Chloasma are yellow or brown patches on your body made worse by sunlight. Some acne treatments involve the use of sunbeds. It's advised you don't use sunbeds or tanning booths with Dianette as it increases the risk of chloasma.

Dianette can make some illnesses worse. You may not be suitable or may need close monitoring if:

You have a problem with blood circulation, or you have a family history

If you or your close family have blood-clotting issues

If you have had migraines

If you suffer from depression

If you are obese

If you have porphyria

If you have diabetes

If you have pancreatitis, or a history or family history of high levels of fat in your blood

If you want to use Dianette for acne, then you should not take it on top of another hormonal contraceptive.

Women taking any combined contraceptive pill are more at risk of developing blood clots. It is only a slight increase compared to women who do not take them. The risk is highest in the first year of use, but it is a very small risk. In a year out of 100,000 women, five to ten will experience a blood clot if they take Dianette or the pill. This is less than the 60 out of 100,000 women who experience blood clots each year because they are pregnant.

Dianette does not provide any protection against STIs. To protect yourself against STIs, such as syphilis and chlamydia, you need to prevent another's body fluids entering or touching your body.

Condoms are an effective way to prevent STIs and should always be used unless you are certain of your partner's sexual health. If you've had unprotected sex it's worth a check-up at your local GUM clinic as some STIs are symptomless but can cause serious health problems and infertility if left untreated.

Other medication interactions

Dianette is a prescription medicine because it may interact with other medications and health issues. During your consultation you will be asked questions about your health and family history to ensure it is suitable for you. Be sure to mention any other medications you take including herbals remedies and over-the-counter medicines.

Other medicines that may affect how Dianette works include:

Antibiotics

Epilepsy medicine

HIV and Hepatitis C medicines

Antifungal medicines

Sedatives 'barbiturates' including sleeping pills

St John's Wort - a herbal remedy for depression

If you need any of these medicines in the short term or long term, be sure to mention you are using Dianette as your doctor will need to discuss extra contraception with you.

Dianette can also interfere with other medicines and it can affect blood tests so ensure you mention Dianette before any medical treatment.